Last week, we posted the first part of our Ultimate Project Management Certification Guide to give project managers and aspiring project managers an overview over the most popular certifications.
The Ultimate Guide to Project Management Certifications (Part 2): PRINCE2, IPMA and Green PM
Linh Tran, Tuesday 23 August 2016 | Reading time: unknownWhy should you get certified? A certification helps project managers prove that they have in-depth knowledge of PM methodologies, and are also able to apply them in practice – this also has a positive impact on your salary.
As the PMI certifications are the most widely known ones, we dedicated a whole post to the certifications. In this second part, we’re concentrating on other popular certifications. It’s important to note though that all these certifications are not in competition with each other, they often actually complement each other – some can actually function as a prerequisite for other certifications. Depending on your situation, you might want to consider getting more than one certification.
PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments Version 2) Certifications
PRINCE2 is actually a project management methodology used in many organizations, including various UK government institutions. As it’s a very comprehensive methodology, you can also get certified to show that you have the necessary knowledge and skills on the method, and on project management in general. There are two PRINCE2 certifications that build upon each other.
PRINCE2 Foundation
The PRINCE2 Foundation certificate confirms that you understand and can apply the method competently and effectively, whether you’re a team member or project manager. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is a prerequisite for the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification.
Who should get this certification?
This certification is not just aimed at established project managers, but also aspiring PMs and anyone who is involved in the implementation of projects.
What are the requirements?
There are no formal requirements or prerequisites, but applicants should ideally have some basic PM knowledge.
How much does it cost?
Courses start at $520.00
How to get certified?
Take 1-hour multiple choice, closed book exam with 75 questions (5 trial questions; at least 35 marks to pass)
How to maintain the certified status?
N/A
PRINCE2 Practitioner
This certification teaches project manager how to apply PRINCE2 principles and how to manage and lead PRINCE2 projects.
Who should get this certification?
As this is a more advanced certification, which allows you to hold the official status of certified PRINCE2 practitioner, it is more aimed at established and aspiring project managers. Applicants should have a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of PRINCE2 and also have the ability to apply them in practice.
What are the requirements?
You must have passed at least one of the following certifications (only current certifications qualify):
- PRINCE2 Foundation
- Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
- IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)
How much does it cost?
Courses start at $520.00
How to get certified?
Take 150 minute open book exam (official PRINCE2 manual) with 8 questions (10 question items per question; at least 44 marks to pass).
How to maintain the certified status?
If you want to keep your status as registered PRINCE2 Practitioner, you need to take and pass a re-registration exam within 3-5 years of your original certification: 60 minute open book exam with 3 questions (10 question items per question; at least 17 marks to pass).
IPMA (International Project Management Association) Certifications
Just as the name implies, the International Project Management Association has numerous Member Associations (MA) globally. Each organization might have differing examination methods, but the requirements remain the same. In this post, we’ll concentrate on the 4-level certification program for individuals (role-based). You don’t need to get all 4 certifications, but ideally, your goal should be to reach a higher level certification, i.e. continually develop your PM skills.
IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director)
Who should get this certification?
Those who manage complex project portfolios and programs.
What are the requirements?
- At least 60 work-months of experience in portfolio and/or program management with strategic relevance and/or handling project management functions
- minimum 36 work-months managing of complex portfolios or programs in leading function
How much does it cost?
For members: $1,995.00
For non-members: $2,195.00
How to get certified?
- Stage 1: Self-assessment and examination
- Stage 2: Corporate case study session
- Stage 3: Personal interview
How to maintain the certified status?
The certification is valid for 5 years. Different countries have different requirements for the re-certification, but you will have to prove that you have continued with your professional and technical training (e.g. in form of PDUs) over the five years.
IPMA Level B (Certified Senior Project Manager)
Who should get this certification?
Those who manage complex projects.
What are the requirements?
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of experience: 3 in a leadership position, and 2 years of project management experience (obtained in last 8 years).
How much does it cost?
For members: $1,795.00
For non-members: $1,995.00
How to get certified?
- Phase 1: Application form, project experience form, reference project proposal, self-assessment form
- Phase 2: Project report
- Phase 3: 2-hour personal interview with assessors
How to maintain the certified status?
The certification is valid for 5 years. Different countries have different requirements for the re-certification, but you will have to prove that you have continued with your professional and technical training (e.g. in form of PDUs) over the five years.
IMPA Level C (Certified Project Manager)
Who should get this certification?
Those who manage moderately complex projects.
What are the requirements?
Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of project management experience in a leadership position (obtained in last 6 years).
How much does it cost?
For members: $1,495.00
For non-members: $1,695.00
How to get certified?
- Phase 1: application form (+ CV), project experience form, self-assessment form
- Phase 2: 2 hour exam
- Phase 3: after passing exam: one-day workshop to undertake practical project management exercises
- Phase 4: 1-hour personal interview
How to maintain the certified status?
The certification is valid for 5 years. Different countries have different requirements for the re-certification, but you will have to prove that you have continued with your professional and technical training (e.g. in form of PDUs) over the five years.
IPMA Level D (Certified Project Management Associate)
Who should get this certification?
Those who work in project management and want to apply their PM knowledge.
What are the requirements?
None.
How much does it cost?
For members: $445.00
For non-members: $595.00
How to get certified?
Take a knowledge test/exam.
How to maintain the certified status?
The certification is valid for 5 years. Different countries have different requirements for the re-certification, but you will have to prove that you have continued with your professional and technical training (e.g. in form of PDUs) over the five years.
Green Project Management Certifications
Having a Green PM certification proves that you understand the impact your projects have on the natural and social environment. It also shows that you have the necessary skills and knowledge in both sustainability and project management.
GPM-b
Who should get this certification?
Everyone who wants to gain knowledge in leading more sustainable projects.
What are the requirements?
- Four-year degree (Bachelor’s Degree or global equivalent)
- 2,000 hours of experience working on a project team
OR
- Secondary diploma (high school or global equivalent)
- At least 4,000 hours of experience working on a project team
How much does it cost?
$199.00
How to get certified?
Take a multiple-choice exam with 150 questions (minimum passing score: 75%).
How to maintain the certified status?
The certification is valid for 3 years, after which you need to submit 1 case study demonstrating your application of PRiSM and/or P5 methods in a project.
GPM
Who should get this certification?
Project managers who want to validate their competence in using sustainable methods to manage projects.
What are the requirements?
- Four-year degree (Bachelor’s Degree or global equivalent)
- Minimum 6,000 hours of experience managing projects
OR
- Secondary diploma (high school or global equivalent)
- At least 8,000 hours of experience managing projects
How much does it cost?
$500.00
How to get certified?
- Self-assessment
- Case study on 2 projects/programs
- Review
How to maintain the certified status?
The certification is valid for 3 years, after which you need to submit 1 case study that meets the criteria of the certification board at the time of the re-certification.
GPM-m (Master)
This certification is for project managers that already hold a GPM-b or GPM certification and want to take their knowledge of how to manage projects more sustainably to the highest level. The requirements for this certification are much higher than the GPM-b or GPM certification. It requires applicants to have a four-year degree from an accredited college and the degree also has to be in a field related to PM. All requirements: http://www.greenprojectmanagement.org/gpm-m-certification
